India's Supreme Court on Monday (August 14) denied bail to three convicts in the Godhra train burning and violence case of 2002. A bench, presided by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and&nbsp;Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, said it could not grant bail as all three convicts had active roles in the incident.&nbsp;

Convicts, Saukat Yusuf Ismail, Bilal Abdullah Ismail and Siddikare, are currently serving life terms in the case.

"Having regard to the specific role of the appellants, we are not inclined to enlarge them on bail. Needless to say, it will not impact the merits of the appeal," the court said in its order, according to Bar and Bench.&nbsp;

Notably, Bilal was found guilty of instigating the mob and using deadly weapons. Siddik was convicted for egging the mob as well and using deadly weapons while&nbsp;Saukat is serving jail for pelting stones, causing damage to the railway coaches and looting the ornaments of passengers.

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Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the defendants said there was no recovery of gold ornaments from the accused as alleged. He added that the three have been languishing in prison for 20 years.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, CJI Chandrachud, commenting on the case said,&nbsp;"The incident is also a very serious incident. It is not a question of an isolated person being murdered."

<h2>What happened in 2002?</h2>

Notably, the burning of the Sabarmati Express train on 27&nbsp;February 2002&nbsp;kickstarted the Gujarat riots. The train was carrying 59 passengers, mostly 'karsevaks' (Hindu religious volunteers), who were returning from the holy city of Ayodhya. According to reports, a mob of 2,000 set four coaches of the train on fire.&nbsp;

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A day later,&nbsp;protests started against the burning of the train and 11 Muslims were burnt to death after a frenzied mob set their houses on fire in a locality known as Muslim Mahollam Kumbhar Vas in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, a special court in Ahmedabad&nbsp;acquitted the 69 accused in the 2002 Naroda Gam riots case.&nbsp;Special judge Shubhada Baxi pronounced the result, with former BJP MLA Maya Kodani, ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and&nbsp;Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel among those freed.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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India's Supreme Court on Monday (August 14) denied bail to three convicts in the Godhra train burning and violence case of 2002. A bench, presided by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, said it could not grant bail as all three convicts had active roles in the incident.

India's Supreme Court on Monday (August 14) denied bail to three convicts in the Godhra train burning and violence case of 2002. A bench, presided by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, said it could not grant bail as all three convicts had active roles in the incident. Convicts, Saukat Yusuf Ismail, Bilal Abdullah Ismail and Siddikare, are currently serving life terms in the case. "Having regard to the specific role of the appellants, we are not inclined to enlarge them on bail. Needless to say, it will not impact the merits of the appeal," the court said in its order, according to Bar and Bench. Notably, Bilal was found guilty of instigating the mob and using deadly weapons. Siddik was convicted for egging the mob as well and using deadly weapons while Saukat is serving jail for pelting stones, causing damage to the railway coaches and looting the ornaments of passengers. Watch | WION Dispatch: Indian MEA denounces BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi × Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the defendants said there was no recovery of gold ornaments from the accused as alleged. He added that the three have been languishing in prison for 20 years. Meanwhile, CJI Chandrachud, commenting on the case said, "The incident is also a very serious incident. It is not a question of an isolated person being murdered." What happened in 2002? Notably, the burning of the Sabarmati Express train on 27 February 2002 kickstarted the Gujarat riots. The train was carrying 59 passengers, mostly 'karsevaks' (Hindu religious volunteers), who were returning from the holy city of Ayodhya. According to reports, a mob of 2,000 set four coaches of the train on fire. Also read | India: Special court acquits 69 accused in Naroda Gam riots including former BJP MLA A day later, protests started against the burning of the train and 11 Muslims were burnt to death after a frenzied mob set their houses on fire in a locality known as Muslim Mahollam Kumbhar Vas in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad. Earlier this year, a special court in Ahmedabad acquitted the 69 accused in the 2002 Naroda Gam riots case. Special judge Shubhada Baxi pronounced the result, with former BJP MLA Maya Kodani, ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel among those freed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Supreme Court denies bail to three convicts in 2002 Godhra train burning case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 19) granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad who was asked to "surrender immediately" earlier this month by Gujarat High Court in a case linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Teesta Setalvad is accused of forgery, fabrication of evidence, making false charges of offences with intent to injure, conspiracy in connection with the 2002 riots cases.

A three-judge bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta quashed the Gujarat High Court’s July 1 order that denied Setalvad regular bail.

The top court opined that the lower court’s observations were “perverse” and “contradictory”.

<h2>Apex court finds&nbsp;faults in high court’s verdict</h2>

“The Gujarat High Court’s order is quashed and set aside… Protection granted to her by this court shall be extended. Passport will remain in custody. Petitioner shall not attempt to influence witnesses,” the bench said in its order, according to LiveLaw outlet.

The apex court also found faults in the high court’s verdict, saying, “If the observation of the learned judge is to be accepted, no application for bail can be accepted unless the accused files an application for quashing the proceedings… To say the least, the findings are totally perverse. On the other hand, the learned judge goes on to discuss the statements of some witnesses and finds that prima facie case is made out. The findings are totally contradictory, to say the least.”

The court noted that chargesheet had been filed against Setalvad, and that evidence was already with the proving agency,

“There is hardly any reason for fear that they would be tampered with.”

As a result, the bench said that there was no need for Setalvad to be kept in custody anymore.

<h2>Bench questions timing of Setalvad's arrest</h2>

“The passport of the appellant already surrendered will be in custody of session court. The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them,” the bench said.

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The Supreme Court granted liberty to the Gujarat Police to move the top court if an attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

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During the hearing, Justice BR Gavai questioned the motives and timing of Setalvad's arrest.

&nbsp;"What were you doing till 2022? What investigation have you done from June 24 and June 25 that you decided she has done something so heinous as to warrant her arrest?"

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 19) granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad who was asked to "surrender immediately" earlier this month by Gujarat High Court in a case linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 19) granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad who was asked to "surrender immediately" earlier this month by Gujarat High Court in a case linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots. Teesta Setalvad is accused of forgery, fabrication of evidence, making false charges of offences with intent to injure, conspiracy in connection with the 2002 riots cases. A three-judge bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta quashed the Gujarat High Court’s July 1 order that denied Setalvad regular bail. The top court opined that the lower court’s observations were “perverse” and “contradictory”. Apex court finds faults in high court’s verdict “The Gujarat High Court’s order is quashed and set aside… Protection granted to her by this court shall be extended. Passport will remain in custody. Petitioner shall not attempt to influence witnesses,” the bench said in its order, according to LiveLaw outlet. The apex court also found faults in the high court’s verdict, saying, “If the observation of the learned judge is to be accepted, no application for bail can be accepted unless the accused files an application for quashing the proceedings… To say the least, the findings are totally perverse. On the other hand, the learned judge goes on to discuss the statements of some witnesses and finds that prima facie case is made out. The findings are totally contradictory, to say the least.” The court noted that chargesheet had been filed against Setalvad, and that evidence was already with the proving agency, “There is hardly any reason for fear that they would be tampered with.” As a result, the bench said that there was no need for Setalvad to be kept in custody anymore. Bench questions timing of Setalvad's arrest “The passport of the appellant already surrendered will be in custody of session court. The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them,” the bench said. Also read | Explained: INDIA, the new opposition alliance. Will it topple Modi juggernaut? The Supreme Court granted liberty to the Gujarat Police to move the top court if an attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case. Also read | Indian equity indices end at record highs, Sensex closes at lifetime high of 67,097 During the hearing, Justice BR Gavai questioned the motives and timing of Setalvad's arrest. "What were you doing till 2022? What investigation have you done from June 24 and June 25 that you decided she has done something so heinous as to warrant her arrest?" (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Supreme Court grants bail to Teesta Setalvad in Gujarat riots case, sets aside HC order

In a big relief for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission has given him a clean chit in 2002 post-Godhra Gujarat riots.

The final report of Justice Nanavati -Mehta Commission on the 2002 Gujarat riots&nbsp;tabled in the Gujarat Assembly by Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja on Wednesday.

In the report, it is mentioned that the post-Godhra train burning riots were not organised. The reports were submitted based on the incident and the action taken by the government.

The first part of the report of the commission was submitted in the year 2008 by the Nanavati-Mehta Commission.&nbsp;

The first part covered the Godhra train burning incident in which it had concluded that burning of the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra Railway Station was a "planned conspiracy".

The first part also gave clean chit to the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi.

The Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission was formed soon after the train carnage.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

In a big relief for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission has given him a clean chit in 2002 post-Godhra Gujarat riots. The final report of Justice Nanavati -Mehta Commission on the 2002 Gujarat riots tabled in the Gujarat Assembly by Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja on Wednesday.

In a big relief for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission has given him a clean chit in 2002 post-Godhra Gujarat riots. The final report of Justice Nanavati -Mehta Commission on the 2002 Gujarat riots tabled in the Gujarat Assembly by Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja on Wednesday. In the report, it is mentioned that the post-Godhra train burning riots were not organised. The reports were submitted based on the incident and the action taken by the government. The first part of the report of the commission was submitted in the year 2008 by the Nanavati-Mehta Commission. The first part covered the Godhra train burning incident in which it had concluded that burning of the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra Railway Station was a "planned conspiracy". The first part also gave clean chit to the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi. The Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission was formed soon after the train carnage. (With inputs from ANI)

2002 Gujarat riots: Nanavati-Mehta Commission gives clean chit to Narendra Modi

The Supreme Court has granted bail to four convicts, Umeshbhai Bharwad, Rajkumar, Harshad and Prakashbhai Rathod, in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case.

A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi granted them bail on Tuesday.

At least 97 Muslims were reportedly killed in Ahmedabad's&nbsp; Naroda Patiya area on February 28, 2002, during communal riots.

The Gujarat High Court had convicted the four individuals on account of arson and rioting. They were serving a 10-year jail term.

The Supreme Court has granted bail to four convicts, Umeshbhai Bharwad, Rajkumar, Harshad and Prakashbhai Rathod, in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case. A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi granted them bail on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court has granted bail to four convicts, Umeshbhai Bharwad, Rajkumar, Harshad and Prakashbhai Rathod, in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case. A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi granted them bail on Tuesday. At least 97 Muslims were reportedly killed in Ahmedabad's Naroda Patiya area on February 28, 2002, during communal riots. The Gujarat High Court had convicted the four individuals on account of arson and rioting. They were serving a 10-year jail term.

Naroda Patiya riots: Supreme Court grants bail to 4 convicts

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear a plea by Zakia Jafri, challenging the SIT's clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 Godhra riots, after four weeks.

Zakia, the wife of ex-MP Ehsan Jafri who was one of the 68 killed in Ahmedabad's Gulberg society, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision.

The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi.&nbsp;

"You are asking for four weeks and we are giving you four weeks. List the matter after four weeks," the bench said.&nbsp;

The court previously said it will also look into the application by social activist Teesta Setalvad on becoming a co-petitioner in Zakia's plea ahead of hearing the main case.

Jafri's counsel told the apex court that a notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to alleged "larger conspiracy" during February 27, 2002 and May 2002. It also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report before a trial judge, the petitioner filed a protest which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits".

On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving a clean chit to Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them.

Jafri was among the 68 people killed at Gulberg Society on February 28, 2002, a day after the S-6 Coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering riots in Gujarat.

The plea, filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station.&nbsp;

The high court in its October 5, 2017, order said the SIT probe was monitored by the Supreme Court. However, it partly allowed Zakia's petition as far as its demand of a further investigation was concerned.

It said the petitioner can approach an appropriate forum, including the magistrate's court, a division bench of the high court or the Supreme Court seeking further investigation.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear a plea by Zakia Jafri, challenging the SIT's clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 Godhra riots, after four weeks.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear a plea by Zakia Jafri, challenging the SIT's clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 Godhra riots, after four weeks. Zakia, the wife of ex-MP Ehsan Jafri who was one of the 68 killed in Ahmedabad's Gulberg society, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision. The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi. "You are asking for four weeks and we are giving you four weeks. List the matter after four weeks," the bench said. The court previously said it will also look into the application by social activist Teesta Setalvad on becoming a co-petitioner in Zakia's plea ahead of hearing the main case. Jafri's counsel told the apex court that a notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to alleged "larger conspiracy" during February 27, 2002 and May 2002. It also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report before a trial judge, the petitioner filed a protest which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits". On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving a clean chit to Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them. Jafri was among the 68 people killed at Gulberg Society on February 28, 2002, a day after the S-6 Coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering riots in Gujarat. The plea, filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station. The high court in its October 5, 2017, order said the SIT probe was monitored by the Supreme Court. However, it partly allowed Zakia's petition as far as its demand of a further investigation was concerned. It said the petitioner can approach an appropriate forum, including the magistrate's court, a division bench of the high court or the Supreme Court seeking further investigation.

Supreme Court to hear Zakia Jafri's plea in Gujarat riots after four weeks

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Zakia, the wife of&nbsp;Ehsan Jafri, an ex-Congress lawmker&nbsp;who was killed in one of the worst incidents during the riots, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision.

A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said, "The matter will take some time for hearing. The plea will be heard on November 26".

At the outset, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the SIT, said Zakia's plea was not maintainable and social activist Teesta Setalvad cannot be the second petitioner in the case.

The bench said it will look into the application before hearing the matter on making Setalvad as the second petitioner in Ms Jafri's plea.

During the previous hearing, Ms Jafri's counsel had said that notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to the aspect of alleged "larger conspiracy" during the period from February 27, 2002 and May 2002 and had also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report in the case before a trial judge, a protest was filed by the petitioner which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits".

On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving the clean chit to PM Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them.

"The present Special Leave Petition is filed before this Court against the final judgement and order dated October 5, 2017 passed by the High Court of Gujarat...which erroneously upheld the order of the magistrate accepting the closure report filed by the Special Investigative Agency appointed by this Court concerning the violence in Gujarat in 2002," Zakia, in her plea filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, submitted.

The plea had further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station.

Zakia had sought an interim order to the SIT to carry out further investigation and the evidence provided by her before the magistrate through the protest petition.

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

The Supreme Court today deferred till November 26 hearing on the plea of Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Zakia, the wife of Ehsan Jafri, an ex-Congress lawmker who was killed in one of the worst incidents during the riots, has challenged the Gujarat High Court's October 5, 2017 order rejecting her plea against the SIT's decision. A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar said, "The matter will take some time for hearing. The plea will be heard on November 26". At the outset, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the SIT, said Zakia's plea was not maintainable and social activist Teesta Setalvad cannot be the second petitioner in the case. The bench said it will look into the application before hearing the matter on making Setalvad as the second petitioner in Ms Jafri's plea. During the previous hearing, Ms Jafri's counsel had said that notice needs to be issued in the plea as it pertains to the aspect of alleged "larger conspiracy" during the period from February 27, 2002 and May 2002 and had also maintained that after the SIT gave a clean chit in its closure report in the case before a trial judge, a protest was filed by the petitioner which was dismissed by the magistrate without considering "substantiated merits". On February 8, 2012, the SIT filed a closure report, giving the clean chit to PM Modi and 63 others, including senior government officials, saying there was "no prosecutable evidence" against them. "The present Special Leave Petition is filed before this Court against the final judgement and order dated October 5, 2017 passed by the High Court of Gujarat...which erroneously upheld the order of the magistrate accepting the closure report filed by the Special Investigative Agency appointed by this Court concerning the violence in Gujarat in 2002," Zakia, in her plea filed through advocate Aparna Bhat, submitted. The plea had further said the high court "failed to appreciate" the petitioner's complaint which was independent of the Gulberg case registered at Meghaninagar Police Station. Zakia had sought an interim order to the SIT to carry out further investigation and the evidence provided by her before the magistrate through the protest petition.

Supreme Court defers Zakia Jafri’s plea hearing in Gujarat riots till Monday

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